The nomination period for the USHJA Zone Committee member elections is open in each of the 12 USHJA Zones until March 1.

Senior Active or Senior Associate members in good standing are eligible to participate in the nomination and election process for USHJA Zone Committee members in their zone.

To nominate someone, click here.

New in 2021, the USHJA Hunter Team Challenge offers a unique team experience for riders competing in the 2’-2’6” Children’s Pony Hunters, 2’6” Low Child/Adult Hunters and 3’ Children’s/Adult Amateur Hunter divisions.

Riders also have an opportunity to earn bonus Zone Horse of the Year Points in their respective divisions.

There are three challenges in 2021 including:

Hunter Team Challenge - Central

Showplace Summertime III

Lamplight Equestrian Center

Wayne, Ill.

Click here to view the other dates and locations

Congratulations to our 2020 Horse of the Year and Stirrup Cup Champions!

This year's HOTY Roster, which lists members who earned ribbons through the year-end awards program, is available digitally here.

To learn more about HOTY and to view standings, click here.

Congratulations to 2020 Stirrup Cup Champions!

Ribbons and awards are currently being mailed to recipients for both HOTY and Stirrup Cup.

The U.S. Hunter Jumper Association is pleased to announce that applications are open for zone grants and scholarships including:

Registration is open for the 2021 USHJA Horsemanship Quiz Challenge and USHJA Adult HQC.

With the aim of encouraging education and recognizing equestrians who have exceptional horsemanship knowledge, both HQC and Adult HQC allow equestrians of all ages to put their horsemanship expertise to the test.

Applications for the 2021 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program will open close April 1. Click here to read more and view all sessions.

Sessions in or near Zone 5 include:

We heard from Donna Rothman about Stonehaven Farms, a Recognized Riding Academy in Temperance, Michigan.

Our 17 school and lease horses serve the very beginners to the advanced rider wanting to compete horse show. Certified Instructor Donna Rothman coaches an IHSA team, IEA high school and middle school teams. We host four to five schooling shows at home, and take riders to A circuit though C circuit-rated shows. We provide top rated clinics, day camps, and community education.

We believe safety and education are essential for the foundation of a well run riding academy and appreciate an organization that supports this. We enjoy starting new riders correctly in our program and having the ability to take them as far as they would like to go with the over 40 years of experience of our top instructors. USHJA allows us to get that information out to the public.

Casey - a 22 yr old Qtr/Draft Cross has been in my program since 5 years old. He started as a lease horse until he was trained enough to begin carrying beginners. At 16.2 hands he carries first time adults, he also can safely carry very young little riders with great care. He does horse shows, trail rides, dresses up for Halloween, and loves to bob apples for campers.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming USHJA Webinars:

March 1, 7 p.m. ET

The start of a new webinar series that gives an overview of jobs that are in the equestrian community, Katie Benson will lead the discussion about the opportunities at horse shows.

April 26, 7 p.m. ET

Returning speaker Holly Frenzel, from the Equine Business Basic webinar, comes back to explain how to make QuickBooks work for your equine business.

Do you have questions about horse health, tack and equipment or nutrition?

Let experts in the sport answer your questions!

Submit questions here for a chance to have your question answered by an expert and featured in a future zone news update.

Parlanti International is thrilled to announce the grand opening of Parlanti Ocala storefront at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala. The new and exciting brick-and-mortar shopping experience is now open and conveniently located just steps away from Arena 3 on the show grounds.

As the second storefront for Parlanti International, Parlanti Ocala has one of the largest selections of boots and accessories in The United States. Ensure the best fit for your boots by shopping in person to get measured for custom boots, find your perfect ready-to-wear size and style, or drop off your boots for repair! Open year-round, stop in the first shop by Arena 3 to browse the newest Parlanti boots and accessories.

USHJA supports local competitive and educational opportunities for hunter/jumper equestrians through its zone structure and Affiliate organization members.

Learn more about Zone 5 Affiliates:

Learn more about National Affiliates:

With the 2021 competition year well underway, don't forget to check your standings for Zone Horse of the Year! Click here to check standings. Please direct any questions or inquiries to USEF, attention Sport Data Department customercare@usef.org.